Fire safety burn permits no long

Fire safety burn permits no longer required this year

November 3, 2015

Effective Monday, November 2, State of Idaho fire managers no longer are requiring fire safety burn permits for burning operations outside city limits until next year.

Earlier this month the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) extended “closed fire season” – the period under law during which a fire safety burn permit is required for burning operations outside city limits – until further notice because of continued fire danger.

Enough rain has fallen across the state in recent weeks, especially in northern Idaho, so IDL will lifted the extension Monday, no longer requiring the fire safety burn permit until the spring, when closed fire season starts again on May 10.

However, people still should check with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, tribal reservations if applicable, and local fire departments before burning for potential burning limitations and required permits.

Closed fire season begins May 10 and usually extends through October 20 every year. Idaho law (38-115) requires any person living outside city limits anywhere in Idaho who plans to burn anything – including crop residue burning and excluding recreational campfires – during closed fire season to obtain a fire safety burn permit.

Information on fire safety burn permits--(for when they are required)
The fire safety burn permit system informs fire managers where burning activities are occurring, reducing the number of false runs to fires and saving firefighting resources for instances in which they are truly needed. It also enables fire managers to respond more quickly to fires that escape, potentially reducing the liability of the burner if their fire escapes.

Fire safety burn permits can be obtained online at http://www.burnpermits.idaho.gov or in person at IDL offices statewide. The fire safety burn permit is free of charge and good for 10 days after it is issued. Permits issued through the self service web site are available seven days a week, issued immediately, and valid immediately.